By Mohammed Bello Doka
Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Ogun State governorship candidate, recently pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the central issue plaguing his party. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sowunmi criticized Tinubu’s decision to appoint Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the move as a major political misstep.
"People will like to say Wike, but I will rather say President Bola Tinubu," Sowunmi declared when asked about the PDP’s main challenge. He expressed frustration that Tinubu selected Wike, a PDP stalwart, for a key cabinet position without consulting the party’s leadership, arguing that such a move disrupts internal party dynamics. Sowunmi contrasted Tinubu's approach with that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who engaged with party elders before forming a government of national unity, highlighting the importance of respect for party lines.
According to Sowunmi, Tinubu’s decision has left the PDP in a state of disarray. "If Tinubu wants the PDP to stabilize, he should return Wike to the party," Sowunmi suggested, hinting that the current scenario has sown confusion and distrust within the opposition’s ranks.
Despite these challenges, Sowunmi is confident that the PDP can weather the storm. He dismissed claims that the party is in decline, attributing its difficulties to the complexities of practicing democracy. "We have not reached a stage where we can say we have a new set of executives," he explained, referring to the lingering uncertainties surrounding Wike's dual roles—being a minister in the ruling APC while maintaining his affiliation with the PDP.
“These are complications that will have to be managed," Sowunmi acknowledged, asserting that the PDP’s struggles are not signs of a dying party but rather part of the ongoing effort to strengthen its democratic foundations.
Wike’s appointment, and the surrounding controversy, continues to be a flashpoint in Nigeria’s political landscape, reflecting broader issues of loyalty, unity, and the challenges facing the PDP as it seeks to regain its footing in a shifting political environment.
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